Los Angeles County Dept of Children Family Services

Los Angeles County Dept. of Children & Family Services Director Patricia S. Ploehn, LCSW Presented by: Angel Y. Rodriguez, MSSA Supervising Children’s Social Worker DCFS Internet Site: http: //www. ladcfs. org

DCFS Mission Statement The Department of Children and Family Services, with public, private and community partners, provides quality child welfare services and supports so children grow up safe, healthy, educated and with permanent families. DCFS Internet Site: http: //www. ladcfs. org

The Key Three Goals for DCFS p Improved Permanence p Improved Safety p Reduced Reliance on Out-of-Home Care DCFS Internet Site: http: //www. ladcfs. org

Fact Sheet – March 2009 p 11, 193 referrals received at the Hotline p 32, 690 children/youth receiving Child Welfare Services from DCFS p 20, 583 children/youth in out-of-home placement p Ethnic Makeup: § 55% Latino § 30% African American § 12% White DCFS Internet Site: http: //www. ladcfs. org

First District Education Pilot Program p p p Established by Supervisor Gloria Molina Partnership of several agencies Out stationed school based social workers Educational Assessments & Case Plans Improve academic performance & increase graduation rates DCFS Internet Site: http: //www. ladcfs. org

Katie A. p An interdepartmental partnership dedicated to enhancing the delivery of mental health services to all DCFS children. p http: //www. lacdcfs. org/kat ie. A/index. html DCFS Internet Site: http: //www. ladcfs. org

Katie A. - continued p Plaintiffs p Structured Decision Making p Wraparound services p Team Decision Making p Family Team Decision Making p Mental Health Services p Enhance Permanent Planning efforts DCFS Internet Site: http: //www. ladcfs. org

Kinship Care Services The mission of the Kinship Support Division is to promote, increase, and sustain safe qualitative permanency for all children in relative care by providing education, supportive services, advocacy, mentoring and aftercare that is easily accessible and meets the need of the child, family and the community. DCFS Internet Site: http: //www. ladcfs. org

Emancipation Services p Independent Living Services for current & former emancipated youth p Crisis line, plan for the future, learn new skills, pursue education, find housing or a job, specialized services, legal assistance, mentoring p www. ilponline. org or (213) 351 -0102 DCFS Internet Site: http: //www. ladcfs. org

Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) The mission of Family Group Decision Making Program is to empower families to join forces with extended families, neighbors, community partners, and public agencies to work together to ensure child protection and family well-being. DCFS Internet Site: http: //www. ladcfs. org

Team Decision Making p All families have strengths p Families are the experts on themselves. p Encourages a more thorough examination of all of the risks involved in placement DCFS Internet Site: http: //www. ladcfs. org

Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect p To report child abuse in Los Angeles County, California, contact the Child Protection Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week p Toll-free within California, phone (800) 540 -4000 p If calling from outside of California, phone (213) 639 -4500 TDD [Hearing Impaired] (800) 272 -6699 p DCFS Internet Site: http: //www. ladcfs. org

Thank you! Office of Public Affairs (213) 351 -5886 Headquarters 425 Shatto Place Los Angeles (213) 351 -5507 DCFS Internet Site: http: //www. ladcfs. org